You just started your job hunting and you’re already checking out different platforms. Eventually, you find something interesting and you decide to apply. Sounds familiar? Great! Here’s what we have in mind for you! Before actually submitting your resume, take 5 minutes to revise it and look over these tips to write a successful CV, that our HR team came up with, based on their experience:
#1 Keep it simple and concise
No matter how complex your experience is, it’s better to present it in a simple and concise way, so it catches the attention of the recruiter right way. Best CVs are visual, and preferably presented in a single A4 page. It should be easy to read, so use bullets, simple fonts, short sentences and choose a simple layout, without crowding your page.
Also, describe your experience starting with the most recent one and after that, your previous ones. The same goes with the education section.#2 Tailor it
Tailoring your CV in order to emphasize your experience and skills more relevant for the job you apply for, means that you read the job description and understood the requirements. The employers will appreciate the effort.
#3 Check and check again
Avoid mistakes in your resume. This includes spelling mistakes, numbers that don’t make too much sense when put together (for eg. 40 years experience, but 25 years old), incorrect email address or phone number.
Re-read your resume or ask a friend to read it for you in order to make sure your resume is error – free. Another technique to spot mistakes is to read your resume bottom-up. This will make your brain focus on the word, and not auto-fill with the correct spelling.
Mistakes in your resume show a lack of interest and attention to details, so pay extra attention to them.
#4 Keep it current/updated
Sending an old CV will look unprofessional, so make sure yours is regularly updated with your most recent experience, skills gained, trainings, certifications, etc. All these can make a difference in a “yes” or a “no” in getting the job you want.
#5 Avoid or explain gaps
Write all your professional experience. If you have employment gaps, try to explain them (either if you took a sabbatical year, volunteered, gained new competencies/skills/certifications, maternal/paternal leave etc.). This will make help you avoid employers assuming what happened during that period.
Describe your volunteering experience in the Work section, as volunteering is a professional experience where you proved you can work with dedication.#6 Add a little bit of math
If you have the possibility, back up your achievements with numbers. This will increase the credibility of your resume and will create the right context for showing your experience.
#7 Tell the truth
People say “Everybody lies in their resume”, right? Well, we don’t know how to say this nicely, but don’t. You do not want to be selected for an interview for fake experience and skills. This will be revealed anyway during one of the other stages of the selection process, either in the interview or in the reference check phase.
Besides, do you really want to get a job you are not fit for and also lose your credibility while you are at it? So, be true to yourself and you will for sure land the perfect job.
So now that you’ve read these tips, tell us how many did you already know and apply? Let us know what are your thoughts and what tips you think we’ve missed mentioning.
You can apply with your new, updated resume to one of our jobs.
